Russian Black Sea supplier,
TOS Bunkering Company, has signed an agreement with Dutch shipbuilder
Damen for the construction and delivery of four tug boats.
According to the agreement, three vessels are to be delivered during the third quarter of 2017 and one vessel in 2018.
Commenting on the deal, TOS CEO
Oleg Nechaev is quoted as saying: "We are extremely happy about the signing of the contract. TOS is launching a new profitable business - together with bunkering services, TOS is becoming a centre for all auxiliary services."
TOS delivers marine fuel to vessels calling at the port of
Novorossiysk. Speaking in 2014 about the importance of the
KSK grain terminal and
NUTEP container facility to TOS's supply operation, Nechaev said: "Our bunkering services are a function of the container and grain businesses since most TOS clients are clients of KSK and NUTEP."
"Our mission is to continue to offer value-added services along the freight logistics chain," Nechaev added.
Novorossiysk terminals
OOO NUTEP is a container terminal owned by holding company
DeloPorts, which handles container, general and ro-ro cargo in Novorossiysk. Its annual throughput capacity is 350,000 TEU.
Last year, the NUTEP terminal handled 202,560 TEU, a 24 percent decline compared to 2014. Total cargo tonnage handled in 2015 was 2,630,447 tonnes, down 26 percent on 2014.
Launched in 2006, the KSK deep-water grain terminal has an annual throughput capaciy of 3.5 million tonnes. It is also owned by DeloPorts.
According to data released earlier this month, KSK handled more than 420,000 tonnes in October - a record month for the grain terminal. Between January and October 2016, KSK loaded more than 1.5 million tonnes.
Image: Port of Novorossiysk
